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CVX-class aircraft carrier

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Conceptual Model of DSME proposal
Class overview
NameCVX
BuildersHyundai Heavy Industries
Operators Republic of Korea Navy
Preceded byDokdo class
In service2030
In commission2029
Planned2
Building0
Completed0
Active0
General characteristics
TypeAircraft carrier
Displacement45,000 tons[1]
Length263 metres (863 ft)[1]
Beam46.6 metres (153 ft)[1]
Speed27 knots (50 km/h; 31 mph) maximum[1]
Aircraft carriedTo be determined

The CVX[2] (formerly known as LPX-II, Hangul: 대형수송함-II) is a class of aircraft carriers proposed for the Republic of Korea Navy. The class is follow-on from the previous Dokdo-class amphibious assault ships which prioritized amphibious capability, while the CVX will be designed for fixed wing and rotary wing operations instead, constituting a traditional aircraft carrier. The planned development of the class was formally announced and funded as part of the 2020~2024 Mid-Term Defense Plan (국방중기계획), published in December 2020.[3] The Korean presidential administration that entered power in 2022 is not supportive of the CVX project, and it was not funded in the 2023 and 2024 defense budgets.

Background

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The introduction of the CVX into service is a continuation of the development of a blue water navy by the Republic of Korea Navy, a process begun in 2001. Thus far the program has consisted of the Dokdo-class amphibious assault ships, the Sejong the Great class (KDX-III), Chungmugong Yi Sun-sin class, and Gwanggaeto the Great-class destroyers, the Incheon-class frigates and Type 214 submarines.

The development of the blue water navy reflects the geopolitical circumstances that South Korea faces. At present, its two closest neighbors (China and Japan) are in the process of developing full aircraft carrier capability for their respective navies. The Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) operates the Hyūga-class helicopter carriers and Izumo-class multi-purpose operation destroyers (de facto aircraft carriers) while the People's Liberation Army Navy currently operates the carriers Liaoning (Type 001) and Shandong (Type 002) and plans to commission the Fujian (Type 003) in 2023.

Development

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In late 2020, design and acquisition work on the CVX class was sped up in the hope of countering naval expansions in South Korea's neighbors. This move is expected to bring forward the aircraft carrier's future in-service date by one year, and will require a hastened procurement process for the F-35B fighter jets that the warship will carry.[4] As of February 2021, work on the CVX was intended begin in 2022 and end in 2030.[2]

On the occasion of the MADEX trade fair in South Korea in June 2021, the Italian Fincantieri signed a contract with Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) for assistance in the design of the CVX. The South Koreans were seeking the support of an industrialist with experience in this field.[5]

The administration led by President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was elected in 2022, is sceptical of the CVX project. The project received no funding in the Korean defence budgets for 2023 and 2024. While it is included in the Mid-term Defense Blueprint covering the period 2024-2028 that was released in December 2023, this document notes that it will be subject to the results of further research.[6][7]

Specifications

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Unlike the preceding Dokdo class, the CVX will not feature a well deck for amphibious assault craft. Instead, internal space will be dedicated to aircraft storage and maintenance. The flight deck will be of an axial design rather than using a ski-jump (used by other F-35B jet aircraft operators except for the United States Navy).[3][8]

The CVX will be one of the few aircraft carriers in the world to feature two islands. The UK defense corporation Babcock International has been providing support to the CVX program and is a possible explanation for the twin-island design as Babcock led the development of the Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier program for the Royal Navy.[3]

The Republic of Korea government has stated that the sensor and weapons fit for the CVX will be developed domestically and the ship will feature a multi-function radar (MFR) for ballistic missile defence (BMD). The same system will be used about the next generation KDDX-class destroyer[3]

Aviation

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The CVX would be the first class of aircraft carriers in the Republic of Korea Navy, in contrast to the Dokdo class of amphibious assault ships which have features such as a well deck to accommodate amphibious assault vehicles. The ship will make use of an axial flight deck similar to those used by the Tarawa, Wasp and America-class amphibious assault ships of the United States Navy. The Ministry of National Defense stated in August 2020 that twenty F-35Bs would be procured for the CVX. In terms of rotary wing aviation, the ship will accommodate the future Marine Attack Helicopters (based on MUH-1 Marineon) of the ROK Marine Corps.[3]

In September 2022 the Korean Ministry of National Defence announced that 20 additional F-35As would be purchased for the ROKAF in place of the previously intended purchase of F-35Bs that were to have operated from the CVX. At this time Korea Aerospace Industries was offering to develop a navalised version of the KAI KF-21 Boramae to operate from the CVX.[9]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Italy and South Korea to work together for CVX future aircraft carrier for South". Navy Recognition. 11 June 2021. Archived from the original on 18 September 2023. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  2. ^ a b Dominguez, Gabriel; Kim, Dae Young (24 February 2021). "South Korea to begin work on light aircraft carrier in 2022". Janes. Archived from the original on 20 November 2023. Retrieved 8 March 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d e Vavasseur, Xavier (4 January 2021). "South Korea Officially Starts LPX-II Aircraft Carrier Program". Naval News. Archived from the original on 29 March 2023. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  4. ^ Dominguez, Gabriel (8 October 2020). "South Korean military aiming to speed up acquisition of light aircraft carrier". Janes. Archived from the original on 25 December 2023. Retrieved 8 March 2021.
  5. ^ "ABONNÉS Actualité Indonésie et Corée du sud : Fincantieri frappe un très grand coup en Asie du sud-est" [Indonesia and South Korea: Fincantieri hits a big blow in Southeast Asia]. Mer et Marine (in French). 11 June 2021. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  6. ^ Lee, Juho (1 September 2022). "South Korea Zeros F-35B CVX Carrier Program in Favor of Funding North Korean Deterrence Strategy". U.S. Naval Institute. Archived from the original on 23 December 2023. Retrieved 23 December 2023.
  7. ^ Cha, Eunhyuk (21 December 2023). "South Korean CVX Aircraft Carrier Program in the Mist". Naval News. Archived from the original on 27 December 2023. Retrieved 23 December 2023.
  8. ^ Dominguez, Gabriel; Kim, Dae Young (6 January 2021). "RoKN unveils revised conceptual design for future light aircraft carrier". Janes. Archived from the original on 25 December 2023. Retrieved 8 March 2021.
  9. ^ White, Andrew (22 September 2022). "With indigenous carrier-capable fighter design, S. Korea seeks to rework naval plans". Breaking Defense. Archived from the original on 8 February 2023. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
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